U. S. Ice Hockey Teams Gear Up for 2026 Olympics

The U. S. is sending a mix of seasoned pros and fresh faces to the 2026 Olympics. On the men's side, Jake Sanderson and Brock Faber are back, having skated for Team USA in the 2022 Beijing Games. They'll be joined by 23 rookies, including stars like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid. The team's general manager, Bill Guerin, says picking the final roster was tough, highlighting the depth of talent in U. S. hockey. The women's team is also making waves. Eleven players from the 2022 silver medal-winning team are back, and 21 of the 23 players helped the U. S. win gold at the 2025 Women's World Championship. Katie Million, the team's general manager, says the selection process was challenging due to the team's incredible talent pool.Both teams have been busy. The men's team played in the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, while the women's team took gold at the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship. The U. S. men will kick off their Olympic campaign against Latvia on February 12, while the women will face Czechia on February 5. The full rosters for both teams are available online. With a mix of experience and new talent, the U. S. is aiming high in Milan.